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J. A. TOPLIFP. Molding Machine- No. 236,736. W Patented Jan. 18, I881.

v I i I 4 Y W "mama maro-Lymoenmzn. msummou, n11 I UNIT D STATES ATENT FFICE.

JOHN A. TOPLIFF, OF ELYRIA, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO-GEORGE H. ELY, OF SAME PLACE.

MOLDING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 236,736, dated January 18, 181.

Application filed May 24, 1880.

heads so as to produce within certain limitsany desired irregularity of the surface over I which they pass. I attain this object by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 is a detached view of the endless chain and the reels on which it works, showing, also, a side elevation of the mandrels which carry the cutter-heads and their bearings. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the cutter-head mandrels and their bearings; also, a 2 5 section of three links of the endless chain and forms. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the same from the rear. Fig. 6 is a detached end elevation of one of the bearings. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a detached portion of the 0 seat in which the bearings of the cutter-head mandrels rest.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The bed-plate or table A, the legs B B, the 5 projecting hangers 0, the hangers D, and the arms E constitute the frame-work of the machine.

F represents an endless chain, which is composed of links a, which links are hinged together at their ends, so as to form, when the chain is drawn straight, a continuous unbroken surface, as seen in Figs. 1 and 3. Said chain is suspended on suitable hexagonal reels, G G, around which it is drawn, each of the faces of 5 said reels being equalin length to thelength of thelinks a. Upon the uppersurfaceof the links a a raised surface is formed, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5, (marked j.) Several of these links are grouped together, and the elevated surfaces (No model.)

are so curved or otherwise formed on their edges as to constitute a pattern of form such as it is desired to reproduce. Upon the rear end of the form or pattern a small spur, in, formed, which carries the wood to be cut forward. 5 5

H H represent the cutter-head mandrels, which are seeuredin upright bearings b b I) b. The lower bearings, b b, are secured within a seat, It, upon which guides c c are formed. Said guides c 0 are fitted to a horizontal bar, I, which is securely fastened at its ends to the frame-work, and forms a suitable way, upon which said guides may freely slide in a transverse horizontal direction, as seen in Fig. 5. Bearings b b are secured to the upper portion of plates cl d, which extend upward from seat and slide on the rod 0, which passes transversely throughjthem and extends across the bed of the machine, the ends being fastened to the frame-work. (See Figs. 1 and 4.) rod 6 is parallel to guide or way I, on which the lever-bearings slide.

Lugsff and g g are formed on plates d d, between which spiral springs h h are secured, for the purpose of prompting the movement of the bearings b b b b while in operation.

On the inner upper edge of bearings b b, at a point in a line through the mandrels H H, lugs 11 i are formed. They are made in the form seen in Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6, and between them the endless chain passes. Their inner surfaces are curved, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5, and they are so recessed out as to onlyimpinge upon the edges of the elevated surface of the chain which constitutes the pattern j.

The rod 6 is provided with a spiral spring, I, at each end, as seen in Fig.2. These springs press the bearings upto and continually keep them in contact with the form j.

Any irregularity of the pattern within cero tain limits will cause the cutter-heads to so adjust themselves that they will cut the blank wood which lies on the pattern in a form exactly like the pattern, either straight, tapering, or curved on its sides. 5

In front of the cutter-head mandrels H H a mandrel, J, rests in suitable bearings 42 n. This mandrel is armed with a cutter-head, o,

The 70 which brings the wood to the desired thick ness before going between the side cutters. By making pattern on links higher at one end than at the other the thickness of wood can be made to taper in passing under cutter 0.

p 1) represent guides to direct the course of blanks to be out, one of which, is elastic, to admit the use of blanks not of uniform size.

q represents an elastic presser, which acts, in connection with guides 19 p, in properly presenting blanks to cutters.

r 'r' are elastic rollers for keeping the blanks in place on the pattern before and after being cut by side cutters until they can be safely delivered.

The pulleys K L M N O P Q R S and gear T constitute the means employed by which I back gear to obtain a slow movement of the chain from the driving axle of the machine, which also drives the cutter-heads at a high rate of speed.

The operation of my improvement is as follows: WVhen the chain, in moving forward, brings one of the spurs on at about the position indicated by m in Fig. 3, the operator places upon the pattern j, and immediatelyin front of said spur, the blank to be cut. The

spur carries blank forward and it enters between guides 19 p and under presser q, and thence under the horizontal cutter head on mandrel J, which cuts the blank to the desired thickness, either straight or tapering, corresponding with the pattern. The knives of this cutter-head the blank passes between side cutters, where its sides are cut to correspond with shape of pattern on the chain and of knives in cutter-heads, and from thence is delivered from the machine. blank has advanced far enough to bring another spur in position at m another blank is placed on chain, and so out, one following another continuously.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The endless chain F, havingaraised surface, j, so formed as to make a pattern in the manner and for the purpose substantially as described.

The endless chain F, with pattern j, in combination with lugs t i, the same being constructed in the manner and for the purpose substantially as described.

3. A pattern-chain having the side contour of the work to be cut, and provided with spur to hold the work, substantially as described.

4. In a wood-working machine, a carryingchain having its sides formed to make the pattern, substantially as described.

JOHN A. TOPLIFF.

Witnesses HERMAN ELY, FRED. N. SMITH.

When the first 

